A $5,000 Shopping Run to Walmart Turned Romney's Campaign Stop into a 'Relief Event'

[morningfog]

Mitt Romney was really concerned that his "Storm Relief Event" in Kettering, Ohio yesterday would look like a dud, so he and his team stocked their donation tables with $5,000 worth of supplies at Walmart. The props, according to Buzzfeed's McKay Coppins, were things like granola bars, canned food, and diapers which were strategically placed to make sure that the photographs taken at Romney's "Storm Relief" campaign didn't a show very un-busy, un-stocked relief table (what else do you expect when you give people short notice to donate their canned goods?). But ... but ... look at how pretty all those fake donations look:

And apparently, the event was so manufactured that they allowed supporters to use the donations which were bought by the campaign, to donate back to the campaign. According to Coppins:

Empty-handed supporters pled for entrance, with one woman asking, "What if we dropped off our donations up front?"

The volunteer gestured toward a pile of groceries conveniently stacked near the candidate. "Just grab something," he said.

Two teenage boys retrieved a jar of peanut butter each, and got in line. When it was their turn, they handed their "donations" to Romney. He took them, smiled, and offered an earnest "Thank you."

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2012/10/5000-shopping-run-walmart-turned-romneys-campaign-stop-relief-event/58529/

[FarPoint]

1. Let's not forget....Congressman Mike Turner, (R) was in on the scam too!

Turner is an empty suit....repug! He was hamming up for the "fixed" photo-op right along side of rMoney.

Ohio ...vote 10th Congressional District - ***Sharon Neuhardt (D)

http://www.neuhardtforcongress.com/

[rucky]

3. I would if I could

but I'm gerrymandered into Bonerland

[FarPoint]

7. I understand....

shameful gerrymandering this turn....shameful!

[hay rick]

2. Name this event.

PhotoOp Aid.

Zombie Aid. Mitt ate all the Republican's brains- just an appetizer...

[KT2000]

4. Bet the campaign paid for the stuff too

he is such a cheapskate.

[KansDem]

5. You know, I'm embarrassed for Mitt...

Before you all jump all over me, let me say that I've criticized him, laughed at him, denounced him, swore at him, ridiculed him and everything in between for some time now. Just ask my friends and family.

But with this stunt, I feel pity for him. I really feel sorry for him. He just seems so...pathetic.

But I still won't vote for him!

[Blue Owl]

6. Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is

n/t

[high density]

8. Well there's $5k at least that went to a more useful purpose

than hateful TV ads.